ITANAGAR, Oct 5: The contingency workers under the Pakke Tiger Reserve have called on the state government for early regularisation and recruitment of 90 posts under the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).
These 90 staff members have reportedly been engaged as contingency staff since the last 15 years.
In a press statement, the Pakke Tiger Reserve Casual Workers Welfare Association (PTRCWWA) informed this daily that despite repeated representations submitted to successive governments, the issues of the contingency staff have not yet been addressed.
The Association claimed that the Government of India sanctioned the creation of the STPF and the matter was endorsed to the Finance Department for concurrence and later observed for finalization of recruitment rules.
The recruitment process of the STPF was approved by then Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and the same was later approved during the Nabam Tuki-led Government, the association claimed.
Reportedly, the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly also passed the Arunachal Pradesh Forest and Special Tiger Protection Force Act, 2012 on 4th April, 2012. However, the government is yet to expedite absorption of in-service contingency workers, it added.
The casual worker’s association further said that despite approval from the Administrative Reforms Department, the concerned authority has been depriving them for several years.
The workers further stated that they have to put their own lives at risk against poachers, venomous snakes and wild animals in treacherous terrain while guarding the wildlife and forest.
The Association called on the PCCF and state government to look into the matter on a positive note within the next seven days or face a series of democratic movements.
